ss nev

er lips,

ly gentle, a whisper of a touch that lasted only a second but s

more than anything h

his expression once again unreadable, though she thought she

folded it neatly, tucking it into a

keep this, M

other jolt through her. She took the envelope, her fingers clo

as time

he took out her phone, her movements sharp and precise. Julian leaned against the clerk

mother's num

meet him? How did it go? He comes from a very good

as you requested. But I have one request. Audre

f the line. For a full ten seconds, the o

oice was a suppressed wh

hares my father left me. The deed to Rosewood Manor. I want t

voice regaining some of its usual shrillness. "Your step

I can change my mind at any time. If I can't get close to the Sinclair family, I beli

dn't know what power the name Sinclair truly held, but he

of the line was filled with

word dripping with resen

irmation from my lawyer,"

. She found Asher's conta

ed her knees. But beneath it was a fierce, exhilarating thrill. F

change without a word. He pushed himself off the desk,

ive," he

sound echoing in the empty hall. He glance

swered, his voice instantly tak

ha

loud, angry voice crackled through the speaker. Audrey co

. He paused, then seemed to have an idea. "And

hone away from his ear, took Audrey's envelope, and slid the marriage certif

saying?" He didn't wait for an answer. "Good

plunging the hall

. They were two strangers, bound by a piece of paper, but in that moment, she fe

to the envelope and handed it t

a productive evening," he

id, reassuring weight in the chaotic swirl of her emotions. As they s

nger door for her. Julian p

a low murmur. "Where to? Do I take you

dn't anticipated. She was married. She had a husba

he reality of her impulsive decision crashin